Have your say on proposed new safer speeds

SH73/75 Christchurch to Akaroa, SH74 Norwich Quay/Gladstone Quay, and some Banks Peninsula local roads

The highway to Akaroa is much-loved but it is also one of New Zealand's highest-risk roads

Kia ora

You may be aware we’re reviewing speeds along State Highway 73/75 between Christchurch and Akaroa.  This route is in the top 10 per cent nationwide where we can make the greatest difference in preventing people from being killed or seriously injured in a crash.

Earlier this year we asked people to tell us what they thought about the current speed limits along this route. We held a series of pop-up events and invited people to give feedback online.

We received more than 800 pieces of feedback, with lots of valuable information, and spoke with many people from Banks Peninsula and Christchurch about speeds and safety.

Thank you to everyone who shared their views.

If you would like to read our Engagement Summary report, outlining what we did, who we spoke to and what we heard, you can find it on our website here

Weekend pop-up event in July this year, Tai Tapu Community Centre, Rhodes Park

Consultation

We have now considered all your feedback from engagement alongside our technical assessment of the road and are formally consulting on proposed new speed limits along this 84km route.

We want to know if there is anything else we should consider before we make a decision.

Full details of the proposed safer speeds, and information you should know, is available on our website here.

We are also asking for more feedback from the community about Takamatua Straight, to help us with our final decision. Our technical evidence could support both a 60km/h or an 80km/h speed limit safely. We’d appreciate more specific feedback from the community before making a decision. What is your experience of speed and safety through Takamatua and using the intersection with Takamatua Valley Road?

Alongside the proposed safer speeds, we are considering several locations where minor safety improvements (such as signs and line markings) will help people to feel safer.

In addition, we want to hear your thoughts about State Highway 74 at Norwich Quay/Gladstone Quay. This section of highway has been included in consultation to align with the safer speeds recently set for Lyttelton township by Christchurch City Council.

The Council is also proposing speed reductions on some local side roads adjoining the highway in townships including Motukarara through to Takamatua. The proposed speeds align with local road speed reductions introduced earlier this year on Banks Peninsula and with the proposed safer highway speeds.

Feedback on both highways and local roads can be made on our online map, here.

Have your say

Make a submission on the proposed new safer speeds for SH73/75 Christchurch to Akaroa, and SH74 Norwich Quay/Gladstone Quay:

• Email us at chchtoakaroaspeeds@nzta.govt.nz
• Mail the FreePost consultation flyer, which can be downloaded at www.nzta.govt.nz/chchtoakaroa
• Visit www.nzta.govt.nz/chchtoakaroa to share your feedback online

Provide us with your feedback before 11pm, Friday 3 December.

More information

Formal consultation on new speed limit proposals is required under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits (2017).

Contact us via email chchtoakaroaspeeds@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/chchtoakaroa

For more information on the speed consultation process go to: www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/what-waka-kotahi-is-doing/nz-road-safety-strategy/speed-and-infrastructure/speed-management/deciding-speed-limits

You can find out more about how we are working with the NZ Police, Ministry of Transport, local government, WorkSafe and others to deliver Road to Zero, New Zealand’s road safety strategy here: www.nzta.govt.nz/safety/nz-road-safety-strategy